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Hot Wind, Boiling Rain: Scary Stories for Strong Hearts
Hot Wind Boiling Scary Stories for Strong Hearts is a collection of original creepy tales, contemporary folktale variants with source notes and creative writing ideas.
140 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 29, 2015
Many of the stories in her book were inspired from her childhood. Ford expresses her individuality by creating unexpected and original stories. She writes her own true spooky experiences and ones she can remember from her family and loved ones.
Though some of the stories are original, others are inspired from known fairytales. Ford twists known tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs finding a silver lining in each tale. Many are twisted in way to have a deeper meaning. In her variation of The Three Little Pigs, Ford reveals that it was “influenced by stories [she’s] heard and read about the times of African American captivity before and during World War II.” In her research, Ford found that the African American women “were brutalized, raped, and deprived from their children.” The protagonist in her Three Little Pigs adaptation describes the weather to be “hot rain like my tears when you took my sons.” This story has a heart-felt meaning shared by many of the others. At the end of each story, Ford provides a note explaining her inspiration for the story revealing the depth of each. Yet, Ford diversifies the types of stories by writing humorous ones, as well.
Introducing another type of scary story, Frost includes kid-friendly stories called “silly spookers.” A few are suspenseful but end with a joke or funny event. Not only does this add range to the types of stories but it also reaches more audiences. Another kid-friendly addition Ford included were little activities for a campfire or other storytelling events.
Hot Wind, Boiling Rain appeals to broad audience. Each story has Frost’s distinct voice and a deeper meaning. Altogether, Frost accomplishes her purpose of inspiring the reader to tell their own spooky stories in Hot Wind, Boiling Rain. by including many different types of stories and even including engaging activities.
Though some of the stories are original, others are inspired from known fairytales. Ford twists known tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs finding a silver lining in each tale. Many are twisted in way to have a deeper meaning. In her variation of The Three Little Pigs, Ford reveals that it was “influenced by stories [she’s] heard and read about the times of African American captivity before and during World War II.” In her research, Ford found that the African American women “were brutalized, raped, and deprived from their children.” The protagonist in her Three Little Pigs adaptation describes the weather to be “hot rain like my tears when you took my sons.” This story has a heart-felt meaning shared by many of the others. At the end of each story, Ford provides a note explaining her inspiration for the story revealing the depth of each. Yet, Ford diversifies the types of stories by writing humorous ones, as well.
Introducing another type of scary story, Frost includes kid-friendly stories called “silly spookers.” A few are suspenseful but end with a joke or funny event. Not only does this add range to the types of stories but it also reaches more audiences. Another kid-friendly addition Ford included were little activities for a campfire or other storytelling events.
Hot Wind, Boiling Rain appeals to broad audience. Each story has Frost’s distinct voice and a deeper meaning. Altogether, Frost accomplishes her purpose of inspiring the reader to tell their own spooky stories in Hot Wind, Boiling Rain. by including many different types of stories and even including engaging activities.
July 13, 2016
Whether you sit by the campfire, hide under covers with your flashlight, or read aloud every story here will send a delightful shiver up your spine. As a lover of folk tales I am always intrigued when an author offers an original interpretation on Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Those classic tales are always bloody and often the stereotype hero wins. For Lyn Ford, once upon a time may lead to a happy ending, but she asks, “Whose happy ending do we really long for?” In Lyn’s stories Cinderella is a wanton woman who loses her way, while her step sister finds her true love with a regular Joe. Sleeping Beauty is not what she seems, and Red Riding Hood’s Grandmother may be a wolf! The twists and turns here may still allow the devil to win, but we now know the background story. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my breath quickens at the thought of hearing Lyn perform these stories!
April 24, 2015
I was amazed at the strength of these scary stories, and very pleased with the contextual essays by the storyteller-author from Ohio. Some of the stories read like folktales--which they basically are-- but some are strikingly original or hauntingly historical. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews